Chair construction

ABSTRACT

A molded one-piece chair having a back, a seat and sides with the back extending upwardly and rearwardly from the seat and the sides depending from the back and the seat and being inclined outwardly from the seat. An outwardly and rearwardly extending concave convolution is formed in each side of the chair for strength and to assist in stacking one chair on top of another. A trough is located between the seat and the back of the chair and blends into the convolutions for strengthening the chair. Connecting means are provided for joining similar chairs side by side in a row.

0 United States Patent [151 3,637,256 Harty 1 1 Jan. 25, 1972 54 CHAIRCQNSTRUCTIQN 2,628,384 2/1953 Shomber ..297/248 X 2,699,814 1/1955 Kahn..297/239 [72] Inventor: M Flllmore Barty, Bloomfield H1lls, 2 93 2 5 190 Reineman 29 2 9 UX Mlch- 3,207,551 9/1965 Axtell ..297/248 [73]Assign: The shawwalker Company Muskegon, 3,459,449 8/1969 Klausen..297/239 FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS [22] 103,697 4/1964 Norway..297/248 [2]] Appl. No.: 833,471

Primary Examiner-Paul R. Gilliam AttorneyParker, Carter and Markey [52]US. Cl. ..297/248, 297/239, 297/D1G. 2 51 1 1m. c1. ..A47c 15 00, A4763/04 [57] ABSTRACT [58} Field of Search ..297/248-249, 239;

24/ 1 103 64 A molded one-piece chair having a back, a seat and sideswith the back extending upwardly and rearwardly from the seat and [56]Referen e Cited the sides depending from the back and the seat and beinginclined outwardly from the seat. An outwardly and rear- UNITED STATESPATENTS wardly extending concave convolution is formed in each side 7 ofthe chair for strength and to assist in stacking one chair on T' 'i 3top of another. A trough is located between the seat and the 33135714/1967 Ferrara back' of the chair and blends into the convolutions for14 2/1922 Mathieum" 297/259 strengthening the chair. Connecting meansare provided for 5 3/1928 Dene" joining similar chairs side by sideinarow.

10 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures CHAIR CONSTRUCTION SUMMARY OF THEINVENTION This invention is concerned with a molded one-piece chair andmore particularly with such a chair which can be stacked and removablyconnected side by side to similar chairs to form a row.

An object of this invention is a molded one-piece chair that may bereadily stacked on similar chairs to conserve storage space.

Another object is a molded one-piece chair having means to permitsimilar chairs to be removably connected side by side in a row.

Another object is a one-piece molded chair that is exceptionally strongyet light in weight.

Another object is a molded chair having guides to facilitate stacking.

Another object is a connecting means which permits connection of chairsside by side on an uneven floor.

Other objects may be found in the following specification, claims anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is illustrated more orless diagrammatically in the following drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chair of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a pair of stacked chairs;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the chair of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the chair;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a crosssectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 2 withbackground parts omitted for clarity;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial view of the bottom portion of a side ofthe chair;

FIG. 8 is a view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7 with some parts omittedfor clarity;

FIG. 9 is a enlarged partial front elevational view of one side of thechair;

FIG. 10 is a partial cross sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG.7;

FIG. 11 is a partial crosssectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG.7; and

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG.7 with a portion of the side of a similar chair shown seated in theconnector assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A chair 21 embodying the novelfeatures of this invention is shown in perspective in FIG. 1 of thedrawings. This chair includes a back 23, a seat 25 and sides 27 and 29.This chair is molded integrally of a material such as nylon with thechair being of generally uniform thickness as shown most clearly inFIGS. 5 and 6. The back 23 has a generally concave front surface 31 andis bounded on the top and sides by a turned edge 33 (FIG. 4). The turnededge 33 continues and merges into the sides 27 and 29 of the chair. Theseat 25 has a concave upper surface 35 and is bounded on the front by aturned down edge 37. The seat is separated from the back by a generallyconcave trough 39 which merges with the back and the seat. The seat isbounded on its sides by ridges 41 and 43 which blend respectively intothe sides 27 and 29 of the chair. The ridges also blend into the frontedge 37 of the chair.

The sides 27 and 29 of the chair are generally flat as shown by thecross section of the side 29 in FIG. 6. However, the front section ofeach side is turned inwardly at 45 and 47 respectively. A convolution isfonned in each side of the chair and is indicated by the numeral 49 inside 27 and the numeral 51 in side 29. The convolutions extend generallyvertically and rearwardly from the seat 35. The upper portions of theconvolutions merge with the trough 39 which is located between theseats. The convolutions are tapered, reducing in width from the seat tothe bottom portions thereof. As can be seen the drawings and especiallyin FIG. 6, the convolutions each have a concave outwardly facing surfaceand a convex inwardly facing surface. It should also be noted that theridges 41 and 43 on the seat merge respectively with the convolutions 49and 51.

An outwardly extending flange is provided along the lower edge of eachside of the chair with the flange on side 27 indicated as 53 and theflange on side 29 indicated by the numeral 55 (FIG. 3). The lowerportions of sides 27 and 29 are notched respectively at 57 and 59 toprovide front feet 61, 63 and rear feet 65, 67 for the sides 27 and 29,respectively. Glides are provided for each foot with curved glides 69and 71 provided for the front feet and generally straight glides 73. 75provided for the rear feet. Each foot is provided with a projecting bosswhich fits into a complementary recess formed in its glide. For example;as shown in FIG. 7, a boss 77 is formed as part of the foot 63 andextends into a recess or cutaway portion 79 in the glide 71. Projectingboss 81 on foot 67 extends into recess 83 in the glide 75. The glidesare held to the feet by means of threaded fasteners such as the screw 85which connects glide 71 to foot 63 as shown in FIG. 10. The glide may beformed with a recess 87 so that the head of the screw will not contactthe floor.

The means for removably connecting one chair 21 to a similar chairincludes an elongated member 91 having a generally W-shaped crosssection as shown most clearly in FIG. 12. One leg 93 of the W fits intoa pocket 95 formed in the inside surface of the side 29 of the chair.The center leg 97 of the W is held against the outer surface of the side29 by means of a rivet 99 which extends through the legs 93 and 97 ofthe W and through the flange 55 of the side 29. A third leg 1010f the Wforms a receptacle with the middle leg 97 and this receptacle receivesthe outwardly turned flange 53 of a side 27 of a similar chair in themanner shown in FIG. 12. A pocket 103 is formed in the inside surface ofthe side 27 for receiving the leg 101 of the connecting member 91 torestrain the connected chairs against side-by-side forward and aftmovement relative to one another. The height of the pocket is greaterthan that of the leg 101 to allow a connection to be made when thechairs are placed on uneven floors.

The use, operation and function of this invention are as follows:

A chair of this invention may be molded in essentially one piece from aplastic material such as nylon. The chair may be used individually orthrough means of connecting members 91 may be removably joined to othersimilar chairs to form a row.

The chair is exceptionally strong and sturdy although it is light inweight. One of the features contributing to its strength and stabilityis the single piece sides 27 and 29 which are formed integral with theseat 25 and the back 23. The sides which extend outwardly, forwardly andrearwardly of the chair give stability to the chair as well as strength.The loadcarrying capacity of the chair is enhanced by the curved frontportions 45 and 47 of the sides and by the convolutions 49 and 51. Theseat is strengthened by the turned down front edge 37 and the upstandingside ridges 41 and 43. The back 23 is strengthened by its turned edge 33and its concave shape. The trough 39 provides a strength memberconnecting the seat and back of the chair. Through the use ofconvolutions, turned in portions, downturned edges, ridges and the like,a strong and stable chair is obtained even through it is generally ofuniform thickness throughout.

Stacking of the chairs one on top of the other as shown in FIG. 2 isfacilitated by the outward slope of the sides 27 and 29 and the rearwardslope of the back 23. Additionally, the convolutions 49 and 51 act as aguiding surface to align the chairs during stacking.

The connecting of the chairs side by side in rows is accomplished byplacing the bottom flange 53 of a side 27 of a chair into the receptacleformed in the W-shaped connector 91 fastened to the side 29 of thechair. One of the legs of the W- shaped connector member, namely leg101, fits into a pocket 103 formed in the inside of the side 27 toprevent the forward and rearward movement of the connected chairsrelative to one another. Connection and disconnection of the chairs isreadily accomplished by lowering and raising one chair into contact withthe connector of an adjoining chair.

Whereas one form of the invention has been shown and described, itshould be understood that many modifications and changes will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of theinvention should not necessarily be limited to the embodiment shownherein.

lclaim:

1. A molded, one-piece chair, having a back, a seat and sides with saidback extending upwardly and rearwardly from said seat and said sidesdepending from said back and from the side edges of said seat and beinginclined outwardly from said seat,

a generally vertically extending convolution formed in each side of saidchair with each convolution extending downwardly and rearwardly fromsaid seat,

each convolution being located adjacent the rear of its side and havinga generally concave surface facing outwardly and a generally convexsurface facing inwardly of said chair, and

a trough formed between said seat and said back with said troughconnecting with and blending into said vertically extending convolutionsto form a strengthening member for the chair.

2. The chair of claim 1 further characterized in that each convolutiontapers downwardly from said seat.

3. The chair of claim 1 further characterized in that an outwardlyextending flange is formed along the lower portion of each side of saidchair.

4. The chair of claim 1 further characterized in that said seat has afront portion which extends forward of said sides and which is rolleddownwardly to form a support flange.

5. The chair of claim 1 further characterized in that said seat has aconcave upper surface and said back has a concave front surface 6. Thechair of claim 1 further characterized in that each of said sides isformed inwardly at the front of said chair.

7. The chair of claim 1 further characterized in that means are providedon the chair to removably connect said chair to similar chairs in aside-by-side relationship.

8. The chair of claim I further characterized in that said removableconnection means lock said chairs against lateral movement relative toone another while permitting vertical movement of said chairs into andout of locking engagement with one another.

9. The chair of claim 8 further characterized in that said removableconnection means include an upright opening receptacle located on one ofthe sides of the chair and adapted to receive the opposite side of asimilar chair in interconnecting relationship.

10. The chair of claim 9 further characterized in that means areprovided on the opposite side of said chair to receive said upwardlyopening receptacle to prevent forward and rearward movement of one chairrelative to a connected chair.

1. A molded, one-piece chair, having a back, a seat and sides with saidback extending upwardly and rearwardly from said seat and said sidesdepending from said back and from the side edges of said seat and beinginclined outwardly from said seat, a generally vertically extendingconvolution formed in each side of said chair with each convolutionextending downwardly and rearwardly from said seat, each convolutionbeing located adjacent the rear of its side and having a generallyconcave surface facing outwardly and a generally convex surface facinginwardly of said chair, and a trough formed between said seat and saidback with said trough connecting with and blending into said verticallyextending convolutions to form a strengthening member for the chair. 2.The chair of claim 1 further characterized in that each convolutiontapers downwardly from said seat.
 3. The chair of claim 1 furthercharacterized in that an outwardly extending flange is formed along thelower portion of each side of said chair.
 4. The chair of claim 1further characterized in that said seat has a front portion whichextends forward of said sides and which is rolled downwardly to form asupport flange.
 5. The chair of claim 1 further characterized in thatsaid seat has a concave upper surface and said back has a concave frontsurface.
 6. The chair of claim 1 further characterized in that each ofsaid sides is formed inwardly at the front of said chair.
 7. The chairof claim 1 further characterized in that means are provided on the chairto removably connect said chair to similar chairs in a side-by-siderelationship.
 8. The chair of claim 1 further characterized in that saidremovable connection means lock said chairs against lateral movementrelative to one another while permitting vertical movement of saidchairs into and out of locking engagement with one another.
 9. The chairof claim 8 further characterized in that said removable connection meansinclude an upright opening receptacle located on one of the sides of thechair and adapted to receive the opposite side of a similar chair ininterconnecting relationship.
 10. The chair of claim 9 furthercharacterized in that means are provided on the opposite side of saidchair to receive said upwardly opening receptacle to prevent forward andrearward movement of one chair relative to a connected chair.